Garment pressing or ironing apparatus



April 7,, 19360 M. Kmmownz 2,036 4 15 GARMENT PRESSING OR IRONING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1954- 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. A

ATTORNEY.

A ril 7 1936. M. KAZIMOVWTZ 9 GARMENT PRESSING OR I'RGNING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 195-4 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3:: l INVENTOR. Mam/skn/Muw/Tz 0 66 60 BY J wad." 50 a 48 H +2 l ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 7, 1936 rATENr or ies GARMENT PRESSlNG OR lRflNmllGt APPARATUS Morris llalmowita, Astoria, l lo 31?... Application lanuary hit, 119%, Serial No. While? ll Claims. My invention relates to garment pressing or ironing machines.

Garment pressing machines of the type gen orally in use comprise a stationary pressing element or buck and a movable pressing element or head between which the garments or fabrics are arranged and pressed under pressure applied to the head lever by toggle or power mechanism. in such types of machines there is no relative lateral or slicing movement between the head and buclt, and after the garments have been steamed and pressed between the elements, the head is raised and. the attendant generally uses a block. of wood, known as a clapper, to form creases. A garment presses. on such apparatus is not generally as well creaseci as are garments which are pressed with e. hancl iron. hurther more, the pressure applied when the elements are brought together is usually a predetermined pressure, whereas in a hanol ironing or pressing operation, the operator makes his own pressure. This latter feature is especially desirable in pressing different types of fabrics, for some fabrics require very light or practically no pressure whileothers require considerable pressure.

The general object of my present invention may be said to reside in the provision of pressing or ironing apparatus having a lineal pressing element or buck to support the fabrics or gar ments with means for supplying steam therethrough to the fabrics or garments, ano". a mow able pressing element which may be swung up away from the buck and swung downwardly against the buck or fabrics thereon; the saicl movable pressing element being constructed anti arranged to afiford. a sliding or ironing movement over the tabrics or garments and to permit the operator to create his own pressure while ironing.

or pressing therewith.

Another general object oi the invention is the provision of apparatus of the above type capable of use in many places where the usual type of garment press is not practical. clue to the fact that the latter are relatively expensive, require a steam generating plant, and suction or drying apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of pressing or ironing apparatus of the type specified having means to create and project steam. to the garments or fabrics during each pressing operation; means to guide the movable pressing element and support its weight during a pressing or ironing operation by sliding movement of said member; and means to steam certain'types of garments or fabrics to raise the nap 'without ironing or pressing the same.

The foregoing objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent and will be pointed out during the course of the following (or. so e) detailed description oi the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embocly= ing the invention with parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through one form of buck which I may employ;

Fig. 3-is a view taken on the line ii-t of Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 is a View taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l;

e is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of a spray nozzle for use in generating steam;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a modification in. the means for connecting the iron or movable pressing element to its support;

Fig. ll is a longitudinal sectional view through a buck showing a modification in the means for creating steam;

Fig. ii is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line t--t of Fig. 8; v

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a modification. in the movable pressing element or iron with parts broken away to show means for generating steam withinthe iron; anti Fig. ll is a top plan View of a modification in the means for attaching the iron. carrier to its support.

In the drawings the numeral ll designates a. table adapted; to support fabrics or garments to be pressed and on the top of which is mounted a plate It to which the base it or the louclr. or

flxecl pressing element is attached. as by bolts The plate it also has attached thereto as by bolts it an upright or support it provided. at its top with a boss ll through which is mountecl a shaft it. A lever designated. generally by the numeral it has arms fill each provided with a boss 2E allned with the boss it and receiving the pin or shaft ill, whereby said lever is plvotally supported for movement to and from the dotted and. full line positions of Fig. l. A hantlle 22 is connected between the forward ends of the arms 20 to facilitate manipulation of the lever is ancl parts carried thereby as hereinafter explained in detail. The cross bar 23 of the lever is provided with spaced upstanding lugs or brackets it leetween which is disposed the forward encl of the lever 25. A pin 26 is mounted through said forward end of lever 25 and the lugs or brackets 2t pivotally connecting the-lever 25 to-the lever It. The rear end of the lever 25 is connected by a pin ll to a leverZB which is pivoted at 29 on a portion of the rear extension 38 of the upright it. A tension spring 3! is connected at its upper end to the rear end of the lever 25 and at its lower end to the extension 30 to assist in raising the lever l s from the full line position of Fig. 1 to the dotted line position.

Ehohlcler screws W are mounted through the arms 20 and spacer rings 33 and engage into the ill end pieces of a frame including the rods 36. The end pieces 35 receive the opposite ends of a rack bar 31 into which the screws 32 also engage. Thus the frame including the parts 35, 36, and the rack bar are pivotally supportedby the arms 20 of the lever 19 for movement relative thereto as well as for up and down movement therewith. The iron is supported on the said frame by a member designated generally by the numeral 38, and as shown best in Fig. 1 the said member has depending from its top, spaced alined lugs or ears 39 which receive pins 40 on which gears 4| are rotatably mounted to meshwith the teeth of the rack bar 31, there being two of such gear wheels shown mounted at points equidistant from the vertical axis of the member 38. A handle designated generally by the numeral 42 is rigidly secured to the top of the member 38 as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The member 38 is provided with openings 36' through which the rods 36 are disposed to connect the said member and iron to the frame and lever l9 for up and down movement therewith. It should be obvious that the gear wheels 4| may rotate on the rack and freely move therealong so that the member 38 and iron carried thereby, as hereinafter explained, may be moved along the buck with a back and forth motion, thereby eliminating friction which would be created by a purely sliding movement between rods 36 and the confronting surfaces of parts 36 The pivots 32 between the arms 20 and the frame, which carries the member 38 and its attached iron, permit oscillation of said member and iron relative to the arms. The bolts and nuts 43 connect the lower end of the member 38 to the iron designated generally by the numeral 44.

The iron 44 is shown as of considerable length and appreciable width and of course is preferably of hollow construction to accommodate a gas burner 45 connected with a valve 46 on the exterior of the iron, which in turn is connected with a flexible tube 41 leading to a source of gas supply. Obviously'an electric heater may be used instead of a gas burner to heat the iron.

The buck 48 has a perforated top plate 49 of greater length than the iron and of substantially the same width. The buck is also hollow as shown best in Figs. 3 and 4, and the chamber within the buck receives an electric resistance or heating unit designated generally by letter H and including coils 50 wound on insulating cores 5|, and disposed on an insulating base 52 on the bottom of the buck chamber. Above the coils 50 is a metal plate 53. The bottom of the buck chamber is formed to provide a drain or trough 55 sloping from one end downwardly to the other, and a pipe 56 leads through the base l3, on which the buck is supported, and is connected with the said drain to carry excess water away from the chamber. Electric wires 51 are connected to the unit H and lead down through the base to a switch 58 mounted on the outside of the base I3 and also connected to wires 59 leading to a plug not shown. A pipe 60 leads from a source of water supply into the chamber in the buck terminating substantially at the center of the plate 53 at which point the pipe has connected to its end a spray nozzle 6|, one form of which is shown in detail in Fig. 6 as having a tapered end 62 provided with jet openings 63. There is a reducer plug 64 within the nozzle having a relatively small bore so that the water entering into the pipe 60 into the nozzle will be sprayed out through the jet openings 63 onto the surface of the plate 53. Of course, when the plate is hot, the water impinging on the plate 53 will be turned to steam, which, escaping through the openings 49 in the top plate of the buck and the padding thereon, will steam the garments or fabrics arranged on the padding of the buck.

I have shown (Fig. 5) a valve 65 located convenient to the operator for controlling the flow of the water through the pipe 50 and the nozzle Bl. Due to the location of the pipe 60 within the heated buck, the water therein which issues from the nozzle each time the valve is opened is warm.

The operation of the apparatus thus far described is as follows: Before pressing is to be done the electric switch 58 is turned to close the circuit through the resistance chamber to heat the plate 53, and the gas burner within the iron is also lighted, or the electric unit is turned on, to heat the iron. When the proper temperature is reached and garments are to be ironed or pressed, the operator grasps the handle 22 and swings the lever 39 on' its pivot I 8 to bring the iron down against the garments or fabrics. The pressure is controlled by the force exerted by the operator in pulling or holding the lever l9 down. Obviously this may be done with one hand with which the grasps the handle 22 while with the other hand he grasps the handle 42 on the iron and moves the same back and forth over the fabric or garment if desired. In the case of silks, for instance, the lever l9 would be held down' very lightly so that the iron would just move back and forth lightly over the silk. In the case of other and heavier fabrics to be creased, the lever would be held down with considerable pressure and the iron moved back and forth over the fabrics if desired. The weight of the iron is supported by the lever 19 through the rack and gears. As previously mentioned, the iron may also be oscillated on the pivots 32 while pressing. If the materials are to be steamed during or before the ironing or pressing, the valve 65 is opened so that water is sprayed through the nozzle 6| on the hot plate 53 to create the steam which will issue through the openings 49 in the top plate of the buck. Obviously, velvets and similar materials may be steamed on the apparatus without ironing or pressing them. Also it is not always necessary in pressing to slide the iron on its support for the same could be used like the average pressing machine, wherein the head is swung down against the buck.

In Fig. '7 I have shown a modification in the means for attaching the iron holder or support 38', which corresponds to the support 38, to the main lever. Instead of having'the rods 36 and the rack and gears, I may provide between the arms of the lever, a plate 66 provided in its upper surface with a groove 61. The under surface of the top plate of the support 38 may also be provided with recesses 68 to receive roller bearings 69 which are also disposed in the groove 61. A strap 10 may be provided and connected to or formed integrally with the support 38' and disposed beneath and on opposite sides of the plate 66, so as to connect the support 38' to the lever 19 for movement therewith when the lever is swung on its pivot. The operation of the apparatus with this modification would be the same as previously explained with the arrangement of Figs. 1-5.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown a modification in the buck, particularly in the steam creating means with provision for creating a dry steam. InFigs. 8 and 9 the primed numerals designate the same parts as the unprimed numerals of Figs. 8 and 4, and the plate 53' on the superheater supports an inverted troug -like member or hood I I, within which is the spray nozzle 6|. At regular spaced intervals along the sides and ends of the trough-like member or hood H are pipes 12 which at their upper ends communicate with the interior of the hood I l, with their lower ends disposed adjacent the plate 53. Obviously the steam created when the water is sprayed from jet 6! on the plate within the hood will escape through the pipes 12 adjacent plate 53', so that it will be superheated or dried by its contact with the plate 53', and-by the heat within the buck.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a modification in the construction of the iron, the casing of which is hollow and designated by the numeral '53. A

flexible tube or conduit 14 is connected to a pipe l5 extending above and substantially to the center of the iron and connected with a spray nozzle 75 generally similar to the nozzle 6i. A push button valve 1! is mounted on top of the iron and is connected to the pipe 15 to control the flow of water through the said pipe and nozzle. An electrical resistance unit it is mounted within the iron in spaced relation to the side walls and bottom thereof and has on its top a metal plate similar to the plate 53 and onto which the water is sprayed from the nozzle 16. An electric switch 19 is connected to wires Bil leading from an electric plug and also to the coils of the unit 16. The bottom of the iron is provided with a plurality of openings 8i for escapement of steam generated within the iron by the spraying of the water on the top plate of the electric resistance unit in the manner previously described in connection with the buck. The handle 82 of course is on top of the'iron and the handle of the push button valve 11 is located adjacent the handle 82 so that the operator may reach the valve handle with his thumb or a finger. of the hand with which he holds the handle 82 when operating the iron. Thus he can operate the valve to spray water onto the plate of the resistance unit, whereby steam will be created within the iron and to escape through the openings 80 to steam the fabric or garment being ironed or pressed whenever desired.

Due to the fact that the iron is not provided with a drain to carry off excess water, where the iron is provided with means for creating steam, a superheater should be used in connection with the steam creating means so that the steam will be dry. It is not essential to have the steam creating means bpth in the iron and in the buck. although the same may be provided in both. However, in use the steam would not generally be supplied simultaneously from the iron and the buck, and if the steam creating means is provided in both,-the use of either would be optional.

I would also point out that a valve V may be provided in the drain pipe leading from the buck, so that the valve may be closed to prevent the escapement of steamthrough the pipe. Obviously, many pressing or ironing operationsmay be performed with the valve closed, as the water could accumulate in the pipe above the valve and also in the drain trough in the buck without in terfering with the operation of the apparatus, and the valve may be opened from time to time to permit this water to flow off.

I would also state that it is not essential to the practice of the invention in all of its aspects that the steam creating means be provided either'inthe iron or in the buck, because the apparatus may be used in places where steam is available or where there is a steam generator. In such case if the steam is wet steam the heating units may be provided in the iron and/or buck to dry the steam. Obviously, where steam is available the pipe 60 or an equivalent pipe may be connected to the source of steam supply, so that the steam will be delivered into the buck, and the valve which controls the flow of water could also control the flow of steam.

The apparatus is capable of use for pressing suits, coats, and the like, of relatively heavy material as well as for ironing various other articles starched and unstarched. In the case of ironing starched articles, there is a tendency for hot irons to adhere to the starched goods as the starch dries. In the case of my apparatus, the iron support may be mounted loosely by making the openings 36 which receive rods 36 larger than the rods, so that the iron can be moved transversely to loosen it from the goods during an ironing operating. or course in the case of steaming velvets, plushes, and other napped goods, wet steam is desirable and no pressing of ironing is done. Therefore, a superheater would not be de-v sirable for steaming purposes only, and where steamis available and is not created within the buck it would not be superheated or dried upon delivery to the buck, and this is controlled by operation of the switch connected to the wires leading tothe resistance unit.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a modification of the means for mounting the iron on the main lever, the construction and arrangement being such as to further afford relative movement between the iron and the buck or bed. In Fig. 11 .the primed numerals designate the same parts as corresponding unprimed numerals in Fig. 5. Instead of making the portions of the arms of the lever to which the frame is connected straight as in Fig. 5, I may make these portions arcua teor curved and provide them with slots 20a. to receive studs or extensions 31a corresponding to the screws 32 of Fig. 5. The ends 35' of the frame which supports the iron would also preferably be slightly curved and carry rollers 84 engaging the bottom or sides of the arms 20'. It will be obvious from the full anddotted line position in Fig. 11 that the iron may be moved by twisting movement to loosen its surface from starched fabrics. During this movement of the iron the studs 31a move in the slots 20a and of course the length of the slots determines the amount of possible twisting movement ofthe iron.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for ironing or pressing garments and fabrics, a pressing element or bed to receive the garments or fabrics, a lever having spaced arms pivotally mounted at their one ends whereby the other ends may be swung down toward and up away from said element, a second pressing element, means between said arms connecting said second element thereto for swinging movements therewith and for sliding-movements therebetween, means between said arms supporting the weight of said second element during sliding movements thereof, and a handle attached to said second element substantially centrally thereof and located above the support for said second member to be grasped whensliding said second member.

2. In apparatus for ironing or pressing garments and fabrics, a pressing element or bed to receive the garments or fabrics, a lever having spaced arms each pivotslly mounted at one end whereby the other end may be swung down toward and up away from said element, a frame supported between said arms and having rocking movement relative thereto and to said pressing element, an. iron carried by said frame and having sliding movement thereon relative to said element and rocking movement with said frame relative to said element, and a handle on said iron above said frame to be grasped when sliding or rocking said iron.

3. In apparatus for ironing or pressing garments and fabrics, a pressing element or bed to receive the garments or fabrics, a lever having spaced arms each pivotally mounted at one end whereby the other end may be swung down toward and up away from said element, a second pressing element, means between said arms conmeeting said second element thereto for swinging movements therewith and for sliding movements therebetween, a handle at the forward end of said arms to be grasped to move the lever and second pressing element up and down relative to said first element and to afford manual regulation of the pressure of said second element against the garments or fabrics during a pressing or ironing operation, and a handle on said second element above said means connecting the element to said arms to be grasped when sliding said second element.

4. In apparatus for ironing or pressing garments and fabrics, a pressing element or bed to receive the garments or fabrics, a lever having spaced arms, said lever being pivotally mounted at one end whereby the spaced arms may be swung down toward and up away from said element, a frame supported. between said arms, a second pressing element or iron connected to said frame for movement therewith and with said lever, a rack supported by said frame, and gears associated with said second pressing element meshing with said rack with the weight of said second element supported by said rack and gears, and a handle on top of said secondlelement projecting above said rack and gears to be grasped when moving the gears along said rack to cause the second element bed.

5. In apparatus for ironing or pressing garments and fabrics, a pressing element or bed to receive the garments or fabrics, a lever having spaced arms, said lever being pivotally mounted at one end whereby the spaced arms may be swung down toward and up away from said element, a frame supported between-"said arms, a.

second pressing element or iron connected to said frame for movement therewith and with said lever, a rack'supported by said frame, gears associated with said second pressing element meshingwith said rack whereby the iron may be moved laterally across said bed between said arms with its weight supported by said rack and gears, a handle on the iron above said rack and gears to be grasped whensliding the iron, and a handle at the forward end of said lever to be grasped to regulate pressure of the iron against said first element and the garments or fabrics thereon.

6. In a steaming and ironing machine of the class described, a buck having a perforated top plate, means within the buck for generating steam for discharge through the perforations in its top plate, said means including a heated plate and a member to spray water thereon, a trough to receive excess water from the plate, and means to convey said excess water from the trough.

7. In a steaming or ironing machine of the to move laterally across said class described, a buck having a. perforated top plate, a heated plate within said buck in spaced relation to the perforated plate, valve controlled means to spray water on said heated plate, a trough or channel marginally located relative to said heated plate to receive excess water therefrom, a conduit communicating at one end with said trough or channel and with a source of discharge, and a valve in said conduit to control the flow of water from said channel and conduit to said source of discharge.

'8. In a steaming or ironing machine of the class described, a buck having a perforated top plate, a heated plate within said buck in spaced relation to the perforated plate, valve controlled means to spray water on said heated plate, a trough or channel marginally located relative to said heated plate to receive excess water therefrom, a conduit communicating at one end with said trough or channel and with a source of discharge, and a valve in said conduit to control the flow of water from said channel and conduit to said source of discharge, and means within said buck to effect superheating of the steam created therewithin.

9. In apparatus for ironing or pressing garments and fabrics, a pressing element or buck to receive the garments or fabrics, means within said element to create steam when desired to effect steaming of the garments or fabrics on said element, means to-control the operation ofsaid first means, means to superheat or dry the steam created within said element, said last means comprising a plate within said element, means to heat said plate, a hood arranged on said plate, a plurality of pipes communicating with the interior of said hood at one end and terminating at their other end adjacent said plate on the exterior of the hood, and means to spray water on said plate within said hood to be created into steam to flow through said pipes from the interior of the hood to the exterior thereof within the element.

10. A garment pressing machine of the character described comprising a bed upon which a garment may be spread, a frame pivotally mounted at the rear of the bed adapted to be swung downward to a position over the top of the bed and upward away from the bed to assume a substantially vertical position, a handle at the front of the frame by which the latter may be manually moved toward and from the bed, a pressing iron 'mounted for guided movements back and forth on said frame, and a handle mounted substantially centrally of the iron and extending unobstructedly above the frame for manually moving the iron back and forth on the frame with its pressing face in contact with the upper face of the bed.

11. In a steaming and ironing machine of the class described, a buck having a perforated top plate, means within the buck for generating steam for discharge through the perforations of said top plate, said means comprising a plate below said perforated plate within said buck, a

member to spray water on said plate within the buck, electric resistance heating units beneath said plate within the buck and extending longitudinally therebeneath to uniformly heat said plate, and a trough around said plate within the buck to receive excess water from the plate in the event the water sprayed on said plate is not completely vaporized.

MORRIS KAIMOWITZ. 

